eaven are about as valid as my chances
of visiting Monreith. Though I should like well to see you, shrunken
into a cottage, a literary Lord of Ravenscraig. I suppose it is the
inevitable doom of all those who dabble in Scotch soil; but really your
fate is the more blessed. I cannot conceive anything more grateful to
me, or more amusing or more picturesque, than to live in a cottage
outside your own park-walls.--With renewed thanks, believe me, dear Sir
Herbert, yours very truly,

ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON.

TO ANDREW LANG

The following refers of course to _Weir of Hermiston_, the chief
character of which was studied from the traditions of Lord Braxfield,
and on which Stevenson was working at the full height of his powers
when death overtook him two days later.

_Vailima, Samoa, December 1, 1894._

MY DEAR LANG,--For the portrait of Braxfield, much thanks! It is
engraved from the same Raeburn portrait that I saw in '76 or '77 with so
extreme a gusto that I have ever since been Braxfield's humble servant,
and am now trying, as you know, to stick him into a novel. Alas! one
might as well try to stick in Napoleon. The picture shall be framed and
hung up in my study. Not only as a memento of you, but as a perpetual
encouragement to do better with his Lordship. I have not yet received
the transcripts. They must be very interesting. Do you know I picked up
the other day an old Longman's where I found an article of yours that I
had missed, about Christie's? I read it with great delight. The year
ends with us pretty much as it began, among wars and rumours of wars,
and a vast and splendid exhibition of official incompetence.--Yours
ever,

R. L. STEVENSON.

TO EDMUND GOSSE

The next, and last, letter is to Mr. Gosse, dated also only two days
before the writer's death. It acknowledges the dedication "To
Tusitala" of that gentleman's volume of poems, _In Russet and
Silver_, just received.

_Vailima, Samoa, December 1, 1894._

I AM afraid, my dear Weg, that this must be the result of bribery and
corruption! The volume to which the dedication stands as preface seems
to me to stand alone in your work; it is so natural, so personal, so
sincere, so articulate in substance, and what you always were sure
of--so rich in adornment.

Let me speak first of the dedication. I thank you for it from the heart.
It is beautifully said, beautifully and kindly felt; and I should